Patient education is important when caring for patients with chronic disease. If people are sufficiently supported to manage their own care, they can achieve better health outcomes than through primary care alone.
Several international agencies now have a policy focus on improving patient education to support self-management. Most current healthcare models deliver education and support through face-to-face consultations and group activities. However, these approaches can create barriers for patients. Digital health technologies offer a scalable way to provide tailored patient education and ongoing support.
Professor Clara Chow AM, Academic Director of the University of Sydney's Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC) and Cardiologist at Westmead Hospital, has pioneered digital health solutions that are reshaping cardiovascular care for patients across Western Sydney.
The HeartHealth program, developed by clinicians at Westmead Cardiology in partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), is offered to patients with cardiovascular disease discharged from cardiovascular services or clinics in Western Sydney. It delivers semi-personalised text messages providing cardiovascular information, lifestyle advice and ongoing support to patients over a six-month period following hospital discharge. Since launching in 2020, this low-cost, scalable intervention has enrolled more than 9,000 patients.
HeartHealth builds on Professor Chow's landmark TEXT ME study, which established that text-message programs can effectively lower cholesterol, blood pressure and body weight in patients with coronary heart disease.
More than 70% of participants have experienced improved cardiovascular risk factors. The program has also contributed to a 40% reduction in days spent in hospital and a 20% reduction in re-hospitalisation rates.
9,000+ patients enrolled
70% improved cardiovascular risk factors
40% reduction in days spent in hospital
20% reduction in re-hospitalisation rates
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